Dec. 2 will also be coach Mike Budenholzer’s first game in S.A. as opposing coach

Atlanta’s trip to San Antonio on Dec. 2 lands in the third spot on our countdown. The Hawks will get their first look at the defending Western Conference champions that night, and it will also be head coach Mike Budenholzer’s first game in San Antonio as an opposing coach.

Playing against the Spurs is always one of the highlights of the schedule, and this year there is the added excitement of it being the first time Coach Bud will go up against Gregg Popovich and the team he coached for 17 years. With Budenholzer bringing over the Spurs’ system to Atlanta, this first matchup against San Antonio will serve as a bit of a measuring stick as to where the Hawks are with the system in their 19th game of the season.